Cambodia is an independent nation in Southeastern Asia. With the capital city of Phnom Penh, Cambodia 2020 population is estimated at 16,718,976 according to countryaah. In the 8th century, the Angolan kingdom grew in the area that today constitutes Cambodia. It eventually came to include large parts of neighboring countries. The kingdom began to decay in the 13th century and was increasingly forced to submit to the growing powers of Thailand and Vietnam. The country was about to be swallowed up by neighboring countries when France entered colonial power. During World War II, Cambodia was occupied by Japan and a nationalist movement emerged. After the war, the French returned but in 1953 Cambodia became an independent state under the leadership of King Sihanouk.
- AbbreviationFinder.org: Comprehensive guide to and popular abbreviations of Cambodia, covering history, economy, and social conditions.
The area that today constitutes Cambodia has been populated for millennia. Yet there is no documented history until just after the time of Christ’s birth. Then came the kingdom of Funan, which was intersected by trade routes and influenced mainly by Indian religion, politics and culture. For Cambodia political system, please check carswers.
Funan, who was ruled by a large number of princely families, was weakened by internal strife and collapsed in the early 700s.
The competition for control of the Mekong Valley led to war. As victorious party emerged in the 800s Angkor kingdom that would become the Khmer culture. The leaders of Angkor developed defense, police and justice systems and built up the city of Siem Reap. This was surrounded by an advanced irrigation system that caused the rice production to increase sharply.
The Angkor kingdom peaked in the 1100s, when the Angkor Vat Temple was built and King Jayavarman VII – the first Khmer Buddhist leader of the Khmer – introduced a state welfare system. At that time, in addition to Cambodia, the kingdom also included parts of the Malacca peninsula as well as parts of today’s Vietnam and Laos. At the end of the 13th century, the kingdom began to decline. In the 15th century, Siem Reap and other cities were raided by Thai conquerors and Angkor fell.
Until the end of the 19th century, Cambodia was increasingly forced to submit to its neighbors Thailand and Vietnam. Vietnam cut off Cambodia from the coast in the late 1600s by subjugating the Mekong Delta. In order to avoid being completely colonized, Cambodia sought support from Thailand, which instead led to Thailand having almost complete control over the country.
Cambodia then turned to France and succeeded in 1863 in obtaining an agreement on protection. However, the price was that Cambodia was reduced to a heavily taxed, rice-producing colony. Only in connection with the Japanese occupation during the Second World War did an independence movement develop in the country. When the Japanese were about to lose the war in 1945, an independent Cambodia was proclaimed with the young Norodom Sihanouk as king. The freedom, however, lasted only a few months, until the French returned.
In the late 1940s, the French colonial power used Cambodia as a base for its war against the guerrillas in Vietnam, which pushed for increased demands for independence. King Sihanouk began negotiations with France, and Cambodia gained its independence on November 9, 1953.
2014
October
Investigative journalist is shot to death
Investigative journalist Taing Try is shot dead at a site for illegal logging in the province of Kratie. A former soldier, a policeman and a military police are arrested on suspicion of murder. In 2012, two other investigative journalists were murdered as they investigated the links between illegal logging, corruption and organized crime (see April 2012 and September 2012).
September
Contested refugee agreement with Australia
The Cambodian Government has entered into an agreement with Australia to receive some of the asylum-seeking refugees who have come to Australia by boat. In return, Cambodia receives Australian aid and support for the equivalent of $ 55 million over a four-year period. The agreement receives sharp criticism from, among other things, human rights organizations who believe that Cambodia has a lack of capacity to accept asylum seekers and also deficiencies in respect for human rights.
August
Life imprisonment for Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea
The so-called Red Khmer Tribunal sentenced Khieu Samphan and Nuon Chea to life imprisonment, but both appealed against the judges (see Political system).
July
Teenager is shot to death by soldier
A 19-year-old farmer is shot to death by a soldier in connection with a conflict over land use.
British journalist is fined
British journalist Rupert Winchester, based in Phnom Penh, is required to pay a total of $ 27,000 in fines and damages after writing on his blog plans to demolish a colonial-era building to build a high-rise building. The Press Freedom Organization Committee to Protect Journalists (CJP) expresses concern about freedom of expression on the Internet in Cambodia.
CNRP cancels boycott of parliament
During a meeting between Sam Rainsy and Hun Sen, the Prime Minister promises that the CNRP will have a seat in the Election Commission and that the party should appoint a Deputy Speaker in Parliament. The CNRP then cancels its boycott of Parliament’s work. Sam Rainsy gets a seat in Parliament after another CNRP member resigned.
June
Another company is listed on the stock exchange
One Taiwanese clothing manufacturer, Grand Twins International, will be the second company to list on the now two-year-old stock exchange in Phnom Penh.
May
Journalist found dead at Angkor Wat
The remains of Canadian journalist Dave Walker are found at the Angkor Wat Temple. Walker disappeared in February with a documentary about a man who saved people from the Red Khmer. It is unclear if Walker died in an accident or if he was subjected to a crime.
April
The Nationalist Party merges with the CNRP
The Nationalist Party announces that it amounts to CNRP.
March
Compromise between CPP and CNRP
Negotiations between the CPP and the CNRP lead to an agreement on a number of reforms, among other things the election commission will change.
Prince Ranariddh back in politics
Prince Ranariddh announces his intention to re-enter politics and register a new party: the Royalist People’s Community. There is speculation that Hun Sen wants to engage Ranariddh to strengthen support for his government.
January
Five factory workers are shot to death by police
Five workers are killed when security forces open fire to disperse strikers demanding higher wages in the textile industry.
